Dead of the Day: An Annie Seymour Mystery

by: Karen E. Olson

Published by: Obsidian Mystery

Reviewed by Kathy Perschmann

Reporter Annie Seymour of New Haven, Connecticut returns in this book, the third in a fun and well-written series.

Annie is working on a profile of new Police Chief Rodriguez when a body is found, naked, floating in the harbor, with bee stings. Then before she can really start to work on that story, the police chief is shot while on a date with his wife.

Annie has the police beat, and she is dogged in trying to find out information on this drive-by shooting, though she’s distracted by a robbery at her mother’s home, and her relationships with two great men, P.I. Vinny DeLucia and Police Detective Tom Behr. Vinny’s brother Rocco enters the picture, trying to get Vinny and Annie back together after a stupid argument months ago.

Rocco is also writing a thriller featuring a reporter and is following Annie around for background. Could the floater in the harbor, the bees, and the fax stolen from her mother’s home, all possibly be related to the Police Chief’s murder?

Who is the mythic “Lucille,” the woman behind a scam preying on illegal Hispanic aliens? How on earth did a body get in the trunk of Annie’s car? Who is driving the green Honda that keeps threatening her? The burning question though is how many cars will she go through and where will she get them once the rental companies refuse to rent to her.

Author Olson grew up in New Haven, and has worked as a reporter for over 20 years. Her depictions of the demands of the job and the distinctive New Haven neighborhoods, the harbor and docks, and the great restaurants, all make her books realistic and a pleasure to read.

Armchair Interviews says: Well-done addition to series.